In this menacing bass aria, Handel signals darkness and danger with a "Jaws"-like musical motif in the orchestra. Simple and captivating, this is movement ten of the Messiah. Perfect for Easter or Good Friday. Direction is inspired by the London Symphony Orchestra recordings.
Bm
Movement 11 from Handel's Messiah is an aria for bass. The creepy chromatic melody is played unison by the orchestra and soloist, giving an unusual, dark character to the text. Tempos are similar to the London Symphony Orchestra recording.
Bm
The twelfth movement in Handel's Messiah is a joyous SATB chorus celebrating Christ's birth. The vocal parts alternate between quiet sections of imitative polyphony and strong sections of heroic union fanfares. All parts match Handel's original score, and orchestral direction is similar to the well-known recordings by the London Symphony Orchestra.
G
An upbeat acoustic version of this classic Easter hymn played by praise band and orchestra. Bright and happy, perfect for Easter morning.
F D Ab C
Movement 19 of Handel's Messiah is a brief alto recitative, reciting the miracles that will occur when Jesus is born. Accompanied by bass, cello, and harpsichord.
Am
Movement 20 in Handel's Messiah is a gentle, flowing double aria for alto and soprano. The text describes how Jesus will protect his people. The alto sings the first half in F, and then the soprano takes over in Bb for the second half. Simple and beautiful. Could be done by one singer with a large range, but really perfect to feature two.
F
A dramatic orchestral rendition of the USA's most thoughtful and beautiful patriotic song, alternately somber, strong, and full of national pride. Easy arrangement to sing along with. Includes two verses, with the usual stretching of the last phrase at the very end.
Ab F C
This grand and peaceful SATB chorus is movement 21 of Handel's Messiah. The last movement in Part 1, it is usually the last song before intermission in performances of the full work. Gentle and easy to sing with a triumphant ending, with a text simple enough for anyone to understand.
Bb
A slow, moving aria for alto, Movement 23 of Handel's Messiah, describing Christ's sorrows. Strings gently weep in the accompaniment. As the A section is over five minutes in length, Handel's instructions to continue with a bridge and then repeat the A section in its entirety are rarely followed. This recording ends, like most, at the end of the A section; the bridge is available separately as Spiritrax 1209, "He Gave His Back to the Smiters".
Eb
A country version of the classic hymn, with acoustic guitar, upright bass, piano, dobro, and drumset.
F A Eb
The Spiritrax.com Christmas Collection Vol. 1 includes 12 of our most popular Christmas songs in their most commonly sung keys. Each accompaniment background track comes with sheet music and a demonstration version.
A contemplative arrangement for Viola, Piano, and acoustic bass of the traditional high holy day song Kol Nidre. Instrumental intro, followed by one time through the song, and a tag instrumental ending. Kol Nidre means "All Vows" and is a flat statement that no promise of any kind will be kept for the coming year. Note, this arrangement is a shortened version of the full prayer, and is designed to allow for cantorial singing prior to chanting or speaking the full prayer -- an effective High Holiday congregational technique.
Abm Fm Cm
A forcefully dramatic tenor recitative, movement 27 of Handel's Messiah. Only a minute in length, it can also be performed by a soprano soloist.
Bbm
A slow, peaceful aria for soprano with orchestral accompaniment. Movement 38 of Handel's Messiah, the lyrics praise Christians who spread peace and the good word. The slow tempo leaves room for vocal ornamentation.
Gm
A brief tenor recitative, accompanied by harpsichord and strings. Movement 42 of Handel's Messiah, this functions as a short introduction to the tenor aria "Thou Shalt Break Them".
E
